By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“The bride and groom now say to each other ‘receive this ring’ instead of ‘take this ring.’”
That’s just one of the many changes, big and small, coming this year to the church’s matrimonial rites.
The new adaptations to “The Order of Celebrating Matrimony” will be presented in Hawaii at workshops for all priests and deacons and those in charge of marriage preparation at all parishes. The schedule is as follows:
- Big Island: Saturday, Aug. 20, 8:45 am-noon, at St. Joseph School, Hilo
- Oahu: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1-4 p.m., at St. Stephen Diocesan Center
- Kauai: Saturday, Oct. 15, 8:45 a.m.-noon, at Immaculate Conception School, Lihue
- Maui: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at St. Theresa Church, Kihei
The ritual text may be used starting Sept. 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is mandatory as of Dec. 30, the Feast of the Holy Family.
The changes include the approval within the rite of two “cultural adaptations”: the blessing and giving of the arras (coins), and the blessing and placing of the lazo (a cord or garland) around the couple.
The new edition of the “Order of Celebrating Matrimony” includes new sample intercessions for the Universal Prayer, an expanded set of assigned Scripture readings, a number of changes in the introductory rites of the wedding liturgy and two options for the greeting of the bridal party in the church.